The Syrian regime recently sent high-ranking diplomats to Beijing for discussions with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which China extended an invitation for Syria to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a controversial program often criticized as a debt trap for poorer nations.
This visit signifies a notable advancement in the relationship between Damascus’ emerging government and China, which has openly backed the regime of Bashar al-Assad. In December 2024, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group linked to al-Qaeda, expelled Assad from power. Currently, its leader, Ahmed al-Shara, holds the presidential title in Syria.
Last week, Sharaa made a historic trip to the White House, becoming the first Syrian leader to do so, effectively securing support for sanctions relief and reconstruction efforts from President Donald Trump. After their conversation, Trump noted that things were moving in a positive direction, referring to Sharaa as a “tough guy” he appreciated.
When Sharaa rose to power, he operated under the jihadist name Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, while the U.S. still maintained significant military influence in the region. The U.S. had previously put a $10 million bounty on information that would lead to his capture, but a majority of sanctions and bounties connected to him have now been lifted.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the discussion between Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hassan al-Shaibani and Wang Yi revolved around economic collaboration and counter-terrorism efforts. Both SANA and China’s Global Times reported that Wang pressed for assurances from Syria against supporting terrorism, focusing particularly on the discredited East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) rather than more prominent groups like HTS or al-Qaeda.
“During their meeting, Mr. Wang expressed that China respects the independent choices of the Syrian people and is ready to consider engaging in Syria’s economic reconstruction,” noted Global Times. “The Chinese Foreign Ministry also mentioned ETIM, urging the Syrian side to take effective actions to facilitate the development of China-Syria relations.”
An expert cited by Global Times emphasized the importance of addressing ETIM because its presence in Syria could challenge global counter-terrorism efforts.
ETIM is viewed as a militant organization of Uyghurs opposing Chinese governance in East Turkestan. Although it was previously listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department, it has since been delisted due to a lack of credible evidence of its ongoing existence.
Nonetheless, China continues to invoke ETIM as a justification for its actions in East Turkestan, where it has been accused of committing severe human rights violations against ethnic minorities. This includes the detention of thousands in camps, forced labor, and other atrocities. Beijing often pressures Muslim-majority countries to denounce ETIM to deflect criticism regarding its treatment of Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples.
During his official visit, Shaibani also reiterated his government’s views on China’s standing in various matters, including tacit acceptance of its claims over Taiwan and commending Xi Jinping’s authoritarian rule.
In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Minister described the talks as “constructive,” suggesting promising prospects for China’s support in Syria’s rebuilding efforts.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning indicated that China welcomed Syria’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, which has faced criticism for incurring debt in developing nations. Mao stated, “China stands ready to work with the international community to enhance Syria’s security and stability.”
Mao also remarked that the conflict that led to the downfall of the Assad regime was “the choice of the Syrian people,” a sentiment China claims to respect.
“Both parties must honor each other’s core interests, refrain from interfering in domestic matters, maintain traditional friendly ties, and steer bilateral relations back on track,” Mao asserted.
The Trump administration is prioritizing the reduction of negative impacts associated with the Belt and Road Initiative, raising concerns that enhanced ties between Syria and China could hinder U.S. investment in Sharaa’s reconstruction projects. While in the U.S., Sharaa made it clear that he anticipated proactive measures from the United States in helping to rebuild the country.
President Trump commented, “He’s a very strong leader. He comes from a very tough environment. I like him.” He expressed intent to support Syria, emphasizing its importance in the Middle East and the current state of peace in the region.
